Electric Connector Rear Terminal Positioning for Reliable Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connectors that connect flat conductors to printed boards often face issues with unintended conductive connections due to the actuator's inclination, leading to additional insulation requirements and difficulty in releasing the connector and conductor from each other.
Innovation Solution
The electric connector design features a housing with front and rear terminals positioned to ensure reliable contact pressure without directly applying force to the actuator, allowing for increased displacement and contact reliability, with the rear terminal positioned above the front terminal to prevent direct force application on the actuator, thus maintaining a secure connection without biasing the actuator in the closing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing surface of the actuator is inclined in the closing direction to maintain connection, then the flat conductor and electric connector are not easily released, but the flat conductor becomes inclined causing unintended conductive connection with the printed board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the rear contact portions from the pressing surface side to the rear side of the actuator, changing the spatial dimension of contact. This dimensional shift allows the rear terminals to contact the flat conductor without requiring inclination of the pressing surface, thereby preventing unintended conductive connection while maintaining secure connection through the rear positioning
2Force
If the rear terminals are disposed at a position facing the pressing surface of the actuator, then contact pressure is increased, but the actuator is strongly biased in the closing direction making release difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact portions into front contact portions on the pressing surface side and rear contact portions on the rear side of the actuator. This segmentation allows the rear contact portions to provide contact pressure through their positioning on the rear side, while the front contact portions handle the pressing function, thereby reducing actuator bias in the closing direction and facilitating easier release
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the reliability of the conductive connection by increasing contact pressure and preventing the flat conductor from coming into contact with the printed board, making it difficult to release the connector and conductor from each other, while providing a secure fitting process.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator including a pressing surface that presses the flat conductor against the connector terminal by a pivoting motion
Implementation Method 2
presses the flat conductor against the connector terminal by a pivoting motion
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric connector including a housing having an insertion opening for a flat conductor, a connector terminal that is conductively connected to the flat conductor, an actuator having a pressing surface, and a shaft portion. The connector terminal is provided with a terminal portion that comes in contact with the flat conductor and a base end that supports the terminal portion. The terminal portion is provided with a front terminal that includes a front contact portion that is provided on an insertion opening side with respect to the shaft portion so as to face the pressing surface and a rear terminal that includes a rear contact portion that is provided on the rear side of the housing with respect to the pressing surface and at a position that is closer to the pressing surface with respect to the front contact portion.